Friday 9 October 2026
Welcome to Community, your Dumfries and Galloway community bulletin.
We are always keen to hear of any positive stories about things that are happening in your community and would like to feature them in Community. Please email us at communitybulletin@dumgal.gov.uk and one of our reporters will get back to you.
 Michael Retires After 50 Years of Service
Fifty years of service is a milestone that few people ever reach, making Michael Brown’s retirement a truly remarkable occasion.
When Michael first started working for the council in 1976, the world looked very different. Apple Computers had only just been founded, Muhammad Ali was world heavyweight champion, there were only three television channels and The Muppet Show had just made its debut.
Over the next five decades, Michael witnessed enormous change, not only in society but across the council and its services. Through changing times, different management structures, evolving equipment and generations of colleagues coming and going, one thing remained constant: Michael's dedication to his job.
Throughout his career, Michael played an important role in maintaining some of the area's most valued green spaces. Whether tending to Castledykes Park, maintaining high amenity grass areas or caring for shrub borders, he approached every task with pride and attention to detail.
Colleagues describe Michael in many different ways. Over the years, words such as determined, meticulous, entertaining and forthright have all been used. However, there is one description that everyone agrees upon: dedicated.
His commitment to maintaining high standards became something of a trademark. If a job was worth doing, Michael firmly believed it was worth doing properly, and he encouraged those around him to take the same approach.
While best known for his work ethic, Michael's colleagues will also remember his sense of humour. He became well known for his impressions of fellow employees, keeping spirits high with stories, banter and the occasional sweet handed out from time to time. Although never one to seek the spotlight, he could always be relied upon to keep colleagues entertained during the working day.
Friends and colleagues admit that Michael always kept them on their toes, but they are equally clear that life at work would have been far less interesting without him. His personality, humour and companionship made him a memorable part of the team and his presence will be greatly missed.
As Michael begins his well-earned retirement, colleagues across the service would like to thank him for his exceptional contribution over the last 50 years.
They said:
"Michael is leaving behind a tremendous legacy. We would like to thank him for his friendship, companionship, banter and, above all, his service. He has been a valued colleague for half a century and we wish him a long, happy and well-deserved retirement."
Although Michael’s remarkable council career is coming to an end, the Brown family’s association with the organisation continues. With both his son and daughter working for the council, his legacy will live on through the next generation of public servants.
Happy retirement, Michael, and thank you for 50 years of dedicated service.
Festival of Remembrance – Sunday, 1 November 2026
The annual Festival of Remembrance is taking place on Sunday 1 November 2026 at 7pm in the Crichton Church. Entry is free and tea and coffee will be served after the service.
It is being organised by the Veterans Garden Dumfries and this years’ programme focusses on the role played by ‘Women in our Armed Forces’ past and present. Donations can be made on the evening to The Veterans Garden Dumfries.
To find out more please visit the Pop-Up Shop (near the Midsteeple), High Street, Dumfries between the hours 10.00am and 4.00pm from 23 October to 12 November 2026.
Further information can also be found at https://veteransgardendumfries.org.
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Dumfries Get Together Welcomes New Members
More than 160 women came together for Dumfries Get Together's annual Joining Evening at Dumfries Baptist Church on 24 September.
The event welcomed 161 attendees, including 85 women who were keen to find out more about the award-winning social group and the activities it offers throughout the year.
Visitors had the opportunity to learn about more than 20 regular activities, ranging from coffee mornings, meals and day trips to walking groups, fitness sessions, arts and crafts, table tennis, line dancing and ukulele. Displays from the group's art, sewing, knitting and crochet groups also showcased the creativity and talent of members.
Founded in 2010, Dumfries Get Together has grown from a small coffee group into a thriving organisation with more than 300 active members. The group aims to help women make new friends, try new activities and become more involved in their local community.
The popularity of this year's joining event has already resulted in a significant number of new members signing up, with organisers reporting strong interest across a range of activities.
The group is also expanding its programme with a new free Saturday morning knitting and crochet group at its premises on the Crichton Estate, alongside a monthly Saturday sewing group.
Women aged 18 and over are welcome to join, and prospective members can attend up to three activities before deciding whether membership is for them.
For more information, visit the group's Meetup page, email get.together@live.co.uk or call 07817 738632.
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Ladies Day at St Andrews Social Club
The St Andrews Social Club Entertainments Committee in Annan is passionate about supporting local charities through a variety of fundraising events throughout the year. This year, their Annual Ladies Day will be raising funds for Annan Defib and Prostate Buddies – two very worthwhile local causes that provide valuable support within our community.
Ladies Day is a family-friendly event that brings people together for an enjoyable afternoon filled with tea, games, conversation, laughter, and friendship. It is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to come together, have fun and support important local charities at the same time.
One of the highlights of the day is a silent auction, where guests have the chance to bid on a fantastic range of prizes generously donated by local businesses. The group is incredibly grateful for the ongoing support we receive from the local business community, whose kindness and generosity help make events like this such a success.
The event is always well attended and creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with plenty of opportunities to socialise, enjoy some friendly competition and raise much-needed funds for deserving causes.
Oyster Festival Recycles More and Wastes Less
Thousands of visitors helped make this year's Stranraer Oyster Festival a success, not only for the celebrations but also for its environmental achievements.
Held from 11 to 13 September, the festival saw a significant increase in recycling and a reduction in non-recyclable waste compared with 2025. A total of 16,920 litres of recyclable waste was collected across the weekend, accounting for 42.8% of all waste generated. That's an increase of more than 6,000 litres compared with last year's event.
At the same time, non-recyclable waste fell by 15%, dropping from 27,180 litres in 2025 to 22,570 litres this year. Overall, the festival achieved a 15% increase in recycling rates, helping to reduce both environmental impacts and the amount of waste being sent to landfill.
The achievement was made possible through the combined efforts of organisers, volunteers, traders, council staff and festival-goers. New sustainability measures, including the introduction of reusable cups, helped reduce reliance on single-use plastics, while visitors made good use of the recycling facilities available throughout the site.
The success demonstrates what can be achieved when a community works together. It also provides a great example of how large events can become more sustainable, helping to protect the environment while continuing to deliver memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Discover the Wonders of the South of Scotland Dark Sky Festival
Stargazers, nature lovers and curious minds are being invited to experience the magic of some of the darkest skies in Europe as the South of Scotland Dark Sky Festival takes place from 9 to 18 October.
The festival celebrates the South of Scotland's internationally recognised dark sky locations, offering a packed programme of events that showcase the region's spectacular night skies, natural landscapes and rich heritage.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including guided stargazing sessions, astronomy talks, wildlife events, night walks, photography workshops and family-friendly experiences. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or simply want to learn more about the night sky, there is something for all ages and interests.
Dumfries and Galloway is home to some of the best places in the UK to observe the stars, with low levels of light pollution allowing visitors to enjoy breathtaking views of constellations, planets, meteor showers and the Milky Way.
The festival also highlights the importance of protecting dark skies for future generations, helping people connect with nature and appreciate the unique landscapes of the South of Scotland after dark.
With events taking place at locations across the region, the festival offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the outdoors, discover something new and experience the natural beauty of the night sky.
For information on events and how to book, visit the South of Scotland Dark Sky Festival website.
Help Shape a Good Food Nation in Dumfries and Galloway
People across Dumfries and Galloway are being invited to play a part in shaping the region's future food system through a series of Good Food Nation Summits this autumn.
Organised by Dumfries and Galloway Council, NHS Dumfries and Galloway Public Health and partners from the Sustainable Food Partnership, the summits will help inform the development of a new Regional Good Food Nation Plan.
The events will bring together residents, community groups, businesses, food producers, educators, public sector organisations and the third sector to explore how food can help create healthier people, stronger communities and a more sustainable future.
Discussions will focus on a range of themes including improving access to affordable and healthy food, reducing food waste and environmental impacts, supporting local food businesses and jobs, strengthening community food initiatives, improving public sector food procurement and enhancing opportunities for children and young people to make healthier food choices.
Whether you work in the food sector, healthcare, education, community development or are simply interested in the future of food in the region, organisers are keen to hear your views.
The summits will take place on:
- Monday 26 October at The Bridge, Dumfries
- Tuesday 3 November at Dumfries and Galloway College, Stranraer
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New Appointment and National Lottery Funding Boost for Castle Douglas Community Hub
Castle Douglas Development Forum (CDDF) has announced the appointment of a new Strategic Development and Partnerships Lead alongside a significant funding award to support activities at The Crannog.
Amelia Lee has joined CDDF in a new part-time role funded through the Development Trusts Association Scotland Recovery and Resilience Fund. Amelia brings more than 20 years of experience in community development, fundraising, partnership working and charity leadership. Her role will focus on strengthening the organisation's governance, partnerships and funding, while helping to coordinate the future development of The Crannog following the successful completion of its 25-year Community Asset Transfer lease.
The Forum has also secured £84,600 from The National Lottery Community Fund over two years to deliver the Crannog Climate and Community Exchange project.
The funding will support a full-time member of staff, volunteer training and coordination, and a year-round programme of free and low-cost community activities at The Crannog, which is being developed as a community hub for wellbeing, learning, creativity, nature and environmental action.
Planned activities include community gardening, fishing, repair and reuse projects, environmental volunteering, creative workshops, shared meals and practical climate action initiatives. Particular focus will be given to supporting low-income families, young people, older residents, carers and others who may face barriers to participation.
The funding marks an exciting milestone for CDDF as it continues to develop The Crannog as a valuable community resource and strengthen opportunities for local people to connect, learn and get involved.
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Tell us about your Customer Service Centre experience
Have you recently visited one of our Customer Service Centres?
Our annual Customer Service Centres Satisfaction Survey is now open. The short survey asks which centre you visited, the main reason for your visit and how satisfied you were with your overall experience.
It covers visits for library, heritage, registration and face-to-face customer services. The survey should take no more than two minutes to complete, and there is also space to share any comments that could help us improve.
The survey closes on Saturday 31 October.
Prepare and be Aware
Flooding can affect anyone, disrupting travel and damaging homes. Are you prepared?
With changes to our weather, flooding is happening more often, making it likely that you or someone you know will be affected.
Being prepared reduces the impact of flooding on you and your family – and can even save lives.
SEPA is Scotland’s flood forecasting and warning authority, working 24/7, 365 days a year to help you prepare and be aware.
Three easy things you can do are:
- Check the Scottish Flood Forecast (a three-day look ahead at where flooding might happen)
- Sign up to Floodline for text, email or phone call flood messages for the area where you live or work
- Follow SEPA on social media for regular updates and information.
You can also prepare at home by creating a flood kit. Your kit should include:
- Torch and spare batteries
- First aid kit
- Prescription medicines you might need
- Warm, waterproof shoes and clothes
- Rubber gloves
- Bottled water and snacks
- Essential pet and children’s supplies
- Insurance documents
- Passports
- Portable wind-up or battery powered radio (plus spare batteries)
- A list of important phone numbers
Store your flood kit in a waterproof box and put it somewhere high up.
To check and/or sign up to SEPA’s flooding services and to download a printable flood kit checklist and label, head to: sepa.org.uk/flooding.
 My Cinema Clinic: Menopause
A special event aimed at raising awareness and understanding of menopause will take place at the Ryan Centre on Sunday 18 October.
The event will feature a screening of a documentary exploring the experiences of women through perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause, followed by a question-and-answer session with local health and wellbeing professionals.
The film features some of the UK's leading voices in menopause awareness, including journalist and campaigner Kate Muir, Dr Nighat Arif and Diane Danzebrink. Through personal stories and expert insights, it explores the physical and emotional impact of menopause, highlights the support available and examines a range of medical and holistic approaches that can help women navigate this important stage of life.
Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of local experts including Dr Heather Currie MBE, Consultant Gynaecologist with NHS Dumfries and Galloway, who was recognised in the 2021 New Year Honours for her contribution to women's health and menopause care. She will be joined by psychotherapist, counsellor and clinical supervisor Michelle Rutherford, and homeopath Elaine Hamilton.
The event offers a valuable opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about menopause, whether for themselves, a family member, friend or colleague, and aims to encourage open conversations around a topic that affects many women and families across the community.
 New Displays at Ewart Library – Share What’s Happening in Your Community
Three new digital display screens have been installed at Ewart Library through the Communities Connected Project, funded by Dumfries Town Board’s Pride in Place Programme.
Two of the screens will share information about local events, activities and services. A third will showcase Dumfries’ heritage through material from the library and archive collections.
Got something happening in Dumfries? Local community groups, charities, schools and clubs are invited to send in digital posters about their events and activities for consideration for the two community screens. Email your poster to your.library@dumgal.gov.uk as a portrait JPEG or PDF, and include the event details and any relevant dates.
RBCFT Film of the Week
Mel Brooks is a legendary American filmmaker, comedian, and writer whose groundbreaking comedies, including Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and The Producers, have made him one of the most influential figures in entertainment history. As he turned 100 recently, we thought we’d make his celebrated 1974 comedy Blazing Saddles our film of the week.
Brooks’ wild and crazy comedy Western combines outrageous humour with a sharp satire of racism, politics, Hollywood westerns, and social prejudice. Cleavon Little plays Bart, a Black railroad worker who is unexpectedly appointed sheriff of the all-white town of Rock Ridge. Expecting the townspeople to reject him, the corrupt officials behind the scheme are surprised when Bart uses his charm, intelligence and wit to win many of them over.
Blazing Saddles is the sort of film couldn’t really be made now but what makes Brooks’s film remarkable is its willingness to challenge prejudice by exposing the absurdity of racist attitudes. Rather than simply being a spoof of western films, it uses comedy to highlight social issues while constantly breaking cinematic conventions. The film's increasingly chaotic finale, which spills beyond the western setting itself, was groundbreaking and helped redefine what comedy could do on screen.
The film features memorable performances from Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder as the Waco Kid, Harvey Korman as the villainous Hedley (not Hedy!) Lamarr. Rounding up the cast are a whole host of extras from popular Western films and TV shows.
The screenplay is packed with unforgettable one-liners. Among its most famous short quotes are: “Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!”, “You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers.”, and the oft-quoted “Candygram for Mongo.”
More than fifty years after its release, Blazing Saddles is still widely regarded as a comedy classic and well worth watching with an audience. You can see it at the Robert Burns Centre on Wednesday 30 December.
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